Alarm-controller for sprinkler systems.



N. H. SUREN.

ALARM CONTROLLER FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED APRTG, I9I4.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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1,169,692. I a a To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN H. SoREN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Needh'am, in the county of Norfolk and State ofMassachusetts, have nvented an Improvement in Alarm-Controllers forSprinkler Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an lmprovement in alarm-controllers designed tobe used 1n connection with sprinkler and simllar systems.

The invention is primarily designed for indicating, through suitablealarm-mechanism the flow of water, whereby a sub-normal pressurecondition is produced 1n the sprinkler pipes, the constructlon beingsuch as to avoid sounding an alarm upon occurrence of slightfluctuations in the pressure, due, for example, to the condition knownas water-hammer, whereby false alarms are obviated.

The invention, broadly stated, comprehends a check-valve directlycontrolling communication between what may be termed the. supply andservice pipes of the system, and a'pressure-control element operativelyconnected with the check-valve which is operated by the supply-pressureand controlled by the service-pressure, said element directly beingarranged to govern a circuitcontroller for an alarm.

The invention also comprehends the provision of a yielding connectionbetween the check-valve and pressure-control element, whereby thecheck-valve is caused to remain in engagement with its seat or to beimmediately restored if lifted by sudden or momentary fluctuations inthe pressure.

The invention also comprehands the provision of a variable movement forthe circuit-contr'dler, whereby it is permitted to move bodily through alimited distance, and during such movement to maintain continuity ofthecircuit, thereby providing for slight movements of the pressure-controlelement due to water-hammer and the like.

Figlrre 1 is a central vertical section through the improvedalarm-controller, the parts-being shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a. sideelevation with the end wall removed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section online AB of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line C-D of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention, as

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 3, 1914, Serial K0. 829,883.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

here shown, 1 represents a casing havin a conduit pr passage 3, throughit, am? a supply-plpe 6 communicates with the inlet end of the casing,and the service pipe 7 communicates with the outlet end of the casmg, sothat the conduit 3, constitutes a direct means of communication betweenthe supply 'pipe and.service pipe. Near the lower end-portion of thecasing 1, and w thln the conduit an inwardly extending annular lip 8 isarranged, which serves as a valve-seat, and said seat is preferablyinclined with respect to the transverse line of the case. a

A pivotally supported check-valve 9 is arranged to cooperate with theseat 8, and' when in engagement therewith, the continuity of the conduit3 is interrupted. The wall of the conduit 3, adjoining the seat 8, isformed with a recess 10, and the checkvalve 9 has arranged on it abovesaid recess,

a roll 11, which projects from the edge thereof and when the check-valveis raised said roll will enter and move in said recess thereby to guideand assist in supporting the check-valve; and said check-valve has onits under side a downwardly extended ear, engaging its pivotalconnection which also assists in guiding and supporting the checkvalve,particularly against downwardmovement, when elevated.

At the lower end-portion of the casing a lateral extension 2 is formedhaving a passage 5 through it communicating at one end with the conduit3, and its other end has fitted into it an extensible element 13, in theform of a hollow cylindrical bodyflhaving a convoluted wall to admit oflongit dinal extension and contraction thereof. The opposing end of thecylinder is closed by a cap 14, having a surface area within thecylinder approximating the surface area of the check-valve 9. The cap 14is directly connected to the check-valve through the medium of a rodcomposed of telescopically end with the lever 18,-said spring actingcontractively to shorten the connections .be tween the cap andcheck-valve and thereby hold the sections 16 and 17 of the telescopicrod abutted together at their adjacent ends and the check-valve on itsseat or to restore it in case it is lifted by a sudden or momentarychange in the pressure.

The cap 14 is provided in its upper portion with a cross-bar 20 to theterminals of which are connected springs 21, 21, secured at their lowerends in any adjustable manner to the wall of the case, as shown in Fig.2. These springs act to oppose the extension of the cylinder 13, and areadjusted to hold the cap in a predetermined position with thecheck-valve closed upon its seat at a minimum predetermined pressure inthe service pipe.

Pivotally supported on ears 22, pro ect1ng from the casing, above thecap 14, is the circuit-controller 23, by which the alarm is controlled.This controller comprises the circuit-terminals which are actuatedthrough a pin 24, of insulating material, extending outwardly from thecap 14, a spring 25 being secured to the circuit-controller and to thepartition to insure a downward tendency of the circuit-controller inorder that its engagement with the pin 24 will be maintained on slightfluctuations or movements of the head 14. The cylinder 13 andcircuit-controller 23 may be inclosed.

An alarm-motor service-pipe 26 leads into the conduit 3, and has itsupper open end controlled by a diaphragm 27 carried by the check-valve9.

The wall of the case above the check-valve is or may be formed with aside-opening adapted to be closed by a removable cover 29, to provideaccess to the interior of the case when desired.

When the sprinkler-system is empty, the check-valve 9 is positively heldopen due to the contractive force of the springs 21, 21, and thecontractive movement of tie cylinder 13, and the consequent operation ofthe lever 18. When the water is first turned on and passes through thealarmcontroller, the conduit 3 provides a means for delivering suchwater to the sprinklingsystem beyond the casing until such system isfilled. Immediately succeeding the filling of the system, the incomingwater fills the cylinder 13, and extends the same against the pressureof the springs 21, and against the inherent resiliency of the cylinder.This extensive movement of the cylinder continues until the cap 14 hasbeen moved to a position, which, through the medium of the center-rodand lever 18, the check-valve 9 is actuated to close upon its seat; andthe cap 14 when thus moved into operative position, that is with thewater pressure static, will engage the circuit-terminals to maintainthem closed, which, as here shown, is the non-alarm or normal position,as represented in Fig. 1.

When the check-valve is closed upon its seat it is substantiallybalanced by the pressure upon both sides of it, and as said checkvalveis of substantially the same area as the cap 14, the pressures actingthereupon will tend to hold the check-valve inert. When the pressure inthe service pipe or other adjunct of the sprinkler-system becomessub-normal from any cause, the normal balance of the check-valve isremoved, and the pressure on the supply side of said valve is sufiicientto force the valve open.

This also reduces the pressure in the cylinder 13, permittingcontraction of the latter, with the effect to open the circuit-terminalsand sound the alarm, and while such contractive movement of the cylinderis purposely not immediate yet is positive, thereby to insure operationof the alarm. In case the pressure in the supply-pipe be comessub-norma1 from any cause the pressure in the service'pipe will hold thecheckvalve on its seat, and through the intermediate connections betweensaid valve and the cap 14, said cap will be held in its normal position,notwithstanding the pressure in the cylinder is reduced. In any casefluctuations in pressure, as from waterhammer or other cause will notresult in an alarm, which of course would prove a false alarm. Thisadvantage is gained, as here shown, by the connection of the checkvalve9 with the cap 14 through the tele scopic-rod connection, and the spring15, as for instance upon a sudden lifting movement of the check-valve 9,the sections of the telescopic-rod will be separated and the spring 15will be extended; and upon a sudden lifting movement of the cap 14, saidsections of the rod will be separated and the springs 15 and 21 and thecorrugated cylinder will or may be extended, but immediately uponcessation of the increased pressurle the aforesaid parts will return tonorma From the above construction, it will be obvious that any abnormalvariation in pressure in the service pipes will be indicated by a properalarm which is caused to operate by a reduction of pressure on theservice side of the check-valve, but that false alarms will not besounded, as the apparatus prevents alarm actuation under slightfluctuations in pressure.

I claim 1. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems or the like,including a balanced automatic check-valve controlling directcommunication between the supply and service sides of said system,having movable balancing means open to the pressure from the supply sideof the system connected flexibly iso to the check-valve and arranged tocontrol an alarm only when the balancing means moves downward,substantially as described.

2. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems or the like including acheck-valve controlling direct communication between the supply andservice sides of said system, and means open to the pressure from thesupply side of the system, including an alarm-controlling element, and ayielding connection between said element andrcheck-valve, substanti allyas described.

3. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like, including abalanced automatic check-valve controlling direct communication betweenthe supply and service sides of said system, having balancing means opento the pressure from the supply side of the system and connected withthe checkvalve, and a circuit controller operated when the check-valveopens and the balancing means contracts, substantially as described.

4. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems and the like including acheck-valve controlling direct communication between the supply andservice sides of said system, movable means-open to the pressure fromthe supply side of the system and connected to thecheck-valve, and acircuit-controller operative by said means, said circuit-controllerbeing mounted for a limited movement in correspondence with the movementof said means, substantially as described.

5. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including acheck-valve controlling direct communication between the supply andservice sides of the system,

movable means open to the pressure from the supply side of the system, ayielding connection between said means and the checkvalve, and acircuit-controller for an alarm operative by said means, saidcircuit-controller being arranged for a limited movement incorrespondence with the movement of said means, substantially asdescribed.

6. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing formedto provide a conduit forming a communication between the supply andservice sides of the system, a check-valve arranged in the conduit, anextensible actuator in open communication with the pressure from thesupply side of the system, means to connect said actuator with saidcheck-valve and a circuit-controller for an alarm arranged to beoperated by said actuator, substantially as described.

7 An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing formed toprovide a conduit forming a communication between the supply and servicesides of the system, a check-valve arranged in the conduit, a corrugatedcylinder closed at one end and its other end being in open communicationwith the pressure from the supply side of the system, means to connectsaid cylinder with pressure from the supply side of the system,

a cap closing the upper end of the cylinder, a yielding connectionbetween the cap and valve, and a circuit-controller movably supportedabove the cap, substantially as described.

9. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including acasing formed to provide a conduit forming a communication between thesupply and service sides of the system, a check-valve arranged in theconduit, an extensible cylinder open at its lower end to the pressurefrom the supply side of the system, a cap closing the upper end of thecylinder, a lever supported within the casing and connected at one endto the valve, a telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of the leverwith said cap, a spring also connecting said opposing end of the leverand the cap and a circuit-controller for an alarm arranged for operationby said extensible cylinder, substantially as described.

10. .An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems and the like including acasing formed to provide a conduit forming communication between thesupply and service sides of the ranged in the casing and controllingpassage of the fluid through the casing from the supply side to theservice side of the system, an extensible cylinder open at one end tothe pressure from the supply side of the system and closed at theopposite end, a lever supported Within the casing and connected at oneend to the valve, a telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of thelever and the closed end of the casing, and a springpressed yieldingcircuit-controller mounted in the casing above the closed end of-thecylinder, whereby to permit said controller a limited movement incorrespondence with the-movement of the closed end of the casing,substantially as described.

12. An alarm-controller for sprinklersystems including a casing, 21,check-valve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through thecasing from the supply side to the service side of the system, anextensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of thesystem, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a leversupported within the casing andconnected at one end to the valve, aspring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of thelever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuit-controller arranged inthe casing above the cap, substantially as described.

13. An alarm-controller for sprinkler-systems including a casing, acheck-valve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through thecasing from the supply side to the service side of the system, anextensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of thesystem, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a leversupported within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, 2.spring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of thelever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuit-controller arranged inthe casing above the cap, and springs mounted to oppose the extensiblemovement of the cylinder, substantially as described.

14. An a1arm-controller for sprinkler-s stems including a casing, acheck-Va ve therein and controlling passage of the fluid through thecasing from the supply'side to the service side of the system, anextensible cylinder open at one end to the pressure supply side of thesystem, a cap closing the opposite end of the cylinder, a leversupported within the casing and connected at one end to the valve, aspring-controlled telescopic rod connecting the opposing end of thelever and the cap, and a movably mounted circuitcontroller arranged inthe casing above the cap, and a spring actuating the circuit-controllertoward the cap, substantially as described.

15. An alarm-controller for sprinkler systems including a casingformedto provide the supply and service sides of the system,

a check-valve arranged in the conduit and name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

NATHAN H. SUREN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD J. BUTLER, CLARENCE O. BISSETT.

.a conduit forming communication between

